Good morning, HOB! It’s ***** SZN ****
I’m over at Kroger Field where we are awaiting Mark Stoops & Co. to give their media day press conference. Festivities should be underway at approx 10 a.m. Stay tuned for all the news and notes…
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Going into Year 11, hard to believe. Sometimes it feels like an eternity and sometimes it feels like a blink of an eye. Things are different in a lot of ways since he began the journey here. Always about adapting and keeping up with the changes.
* Building a roster is so different in 2023 than when he began at UK. Guys have to be brought along really quickly and acclimated to the culture.
* Thinks weaknesses they showed last year have been addressed in the off-season. “We’re going to improve in a lot of areas.”
* Not to many injuries as camp is getting underway. A couple of “soft-tissue” type deals where guys may be out 2-3 days. Didn’t name them. Said we’d see them when we’re out there.
* The renovated indoor facility has been “wonderful.” A first-class facility now. Added “It’s an honor to have Karen and Rich Brooks’ name on there.”
* Excited about early reports on fan ticket sales. “It makes a difference in games.” Schedule is awesome, “but all I’m worried about is Ball State. Not getting out over my skis.”
* On the new offensive tackles early in practice… Much-needed. They’ve done a good job. The five OL in general are important from an overall depth situation.
* If there’s a position they’re down a little bit in numbers right now, it’s wideout. They have some really good players at the top of the depth chart, but they need to watch that position closely in camp.
* Liam Coen brings an energy and a confidence to the team. And he’s proven this time around. You can feel the difference from when he first got here.
* OL Nikolas Hall might have to take a medical redshirt this year.
* OL Ben Christman likely projects as a guard with them.
* Says he knows they’re improved on the OL. “To our standard… still yet to be seen.”
* On DT Deone Walker… Seeing maturity and leadership in the off-season. Leads by example. Not all that vocal, but getting a little more vocal. Physically, looks really good, quick. “I expect big things from him.”
* On new clock rules in CFB… It’s a wait-and-see situation, will change approach from game to game, but Cats have worked really hard in off-season to be more efficient, have a bit more tempo throughout the game and not just when you’re in a tight spot.
* Asked about hazing being back in the headlines in college sports. 100% not permitted in their program. “I’ve always been that way.” Has always prided himself in relationships with players and taking care of a a lot of guys from different backgrounds.
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* On JJ Weaver’s newly added weight… When you can do that and remain explosive, it really helps you hold up in the run game and in your pass rush. You saw it with Josh Allen when he changed his body and had a huge year.
* On Deone Walker… Every player, you expect a big jump between the freshman and sophomore year. It’s time to take the next step from good to great and then from great to elite. It doesn’t happen just because you’re a year older. Takes a lot of focus and determination. Same for guys like Wade and Afari.
* Liked what he saw from DBs in spring, but practice and games are a big difference. Got to see it when the games begin.
* Expects big things from DB Jalen Geiger in his return from injury.
* On transfer LB Daveren Rayner… Can make plays in space. Put that on film last year, saw good things from him playing against UK. You can see a willingness to be more physical. Excited to see him in pads.
* On DL Octavius Oxendine… Obviously got too light last year, and he knows that. Has done a good job of regaining some girth and mass. No matter how good your technique is, it’s hard to overcome if you don’t have that mass. Need to see if he can maintain that thru camp and into the season.
LIAM COEN Q&A:
* On the RBs and not having a “workhorse” like Snell or Rodriguez… Concedes it will be a little bit different, but he likes the guys they have. Thing that was so good about C-Rod is you could hand him the ball, and you knew he was going to get 4 yards. That was very reassuring as a play-caller. Thinks it will be really important to manage the carries and get the guys a lot of work, keep them fresher throughout the season.
* Devin Leary is a high-IQ football kid. Loves the game, studies the game. Last night, he was sitting around watching 2016 LA Rams Hard Knocks. “He’s all ball, but also extremely relatable to his peers.” Natural leader. Not always rah-rah, but leads by example and his approach to the game.
* On Courtland Ford transitioning to RT… Another high-IQ kid. Was extremely well-coached at USC. Long athlete. Loves the approach they’ve seen from him so far.
* On in-roads they’ve made into HS recruiting of the QB position… Will Levis has helped. Helps overall recruiting. Having better skilled players like Barion Brown and Dane Key has also given QB recruiting a boost. Easy to sell the pro-style system.
* On protecting the QB… Maybe they had a bit too much scheme to deal with last year. Simplifying may help them perform better. LA Rams had 13 different starting OL last year, which was a record, and one you don’t want to be a part of. UK dealt with some of those same issues and being forced to move guys around.
* Can Leary run? Coen thinks he can escape when needed while keeping his eyes down the field. Different guy than Levis, who could just take off and make a play.
* On DSK from NC State… Another high football-IQ kid who loves the game. “All he does is watch YouTube videos of football.” That’s the kind of kid you love to have. Has some versatile skills.
* Tayvion Robinson, Dekel Crowdus, and Anthony Brown all need to step up. They have a golden opportunity because the WR room is thin right now. Need those guys to take the next step, especially Tayvion.
* TEs might be able to be utilized a little bit more because of that lack of depth at WR. Thinks they can create some mismatches with some of those guys.
I’m over at Kroger Field where we are awaiting Mark Stoops & Co. to give their media day press conference. Festivities should be underway at approx 10 a.m. Stay tuned for all the news and notes…
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Going into Year 11, hard to believe. Sometimes it feels like an eternity and sometimes it feels like a blink of an eye. Things are different in a lot of ways since he began the journey here. Always about adapting and keeping up with the changes.
* Building a roster is so different in 2023 than when he began at UK. Guys have to be brought along really quickly and acclimated to the culture.
* Thinks weaknesses they showed last year have been addressed in the off-season. “We’re going to improve in a lot of areas.”
* Not to many injuries as camp is getting underway. A couple of “soft-tissue” type deals where guys may be out 2-3 days. Didn’t name them. Said we’d see them when we’re out there.
* The renovated indoor facility has been “wonderful.” A first-class facility now. Added “It’s an honor to have Karen and Rich Brooks’ name on there.”
* Excited about early reports on fan ticket sales. “It makes a difference in games.” Schedule is awesome, “but all I’m worried about is Ball State. Not getting out over my skis.”
* On the new offensive tackles early in practice… Much-needed. They’ve done a good job. The five OL in general are important from an overall depth situation.
* If there’s a position they’re down a little bit in numbers right now, it’s wideout. They have some really good players at the top of the depth chart, but they need to watch that position closely in camp.
* Liam Coen brings an energy and a confidence to the team. And he’s proven this time around. You can feel the difference from when he first got here.
* OL Nikolas Hall might have to take a medical redshirt this year.
* OL Ben Christman likely projects as a guard with them.
* Says he knows they’re improved on the OL. “To our standard… still yet to be seen.”
* On DT Deone Walker… Seeing maturity and leadership in the off-season. Leads by example. Not all that vocal, but getting a little more vocal. Physically, looks really good, quick. “I expect big things from him.”
* On new clock rules in CFB… It’s a wait-and-see situation, will change approach from game to game, but Cats have worked really hard in off-season to be more efficient, have a bit more tempo throughout the game and not just when you’re in a tight spot.
* Asked about hazing being back in the headlines in college sports. 100% not permitted in their program. “I’ve always been that way.” Has always prided himself in relationships with players and taking care of a a lot of guys from different backgrounds.
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* On JJ Weaver’s newly added weight… When you can do that and remain explosive, it really helps you hold up in the run game and in your pass rush. You saw it with Josh Allen when he changed his body and had a huge year.
* On Deone Walker… Every player, you expect a big jump between the freshman and sophomore year. It’s time to take the next step from good to great and then from great to elite. It doesn’t happen just because you’re a year older. Takes a lot of focus and determination. Same for guys like Wade and Afari.
* Liked what he saw from DBs in spring, but practice and games are a big difference. Got to see it when the games begin.
* Expects big things from DB Jalen Geiger in his return from injury.
* On transfer LB Daveren Rayner… Can make plays in space. Put that on film last year, saw good things from him playing against UK. You can see a willingness to be more physical. Excited to see him in pads.
* On DL Octavius Oxendine… Obviously got too light last year, and he knows that. Has done a good job of regaining some girth and mass. No matter how good your technique is, it’s hard to overcome if you don’t have that mass. Need to see if he can maintain that thru camp and into the season.
LIAM COEN Q&A:
* On the RBs and not having a “workhorse” like Snell or Rodriguez… Concedes it will be a little bit different, but he likes the guys they have. Thing that was so good about C-Rod is you could hand him the ball, and you knew he was going to get 4 yards. That was very reassuring as a play-caller. Thinks it will be really important to manage the carries and get the guys a lot of work, keep them fresher throughout the season.
* Devin Leary is a high-IQ football kid. Loves the game, studies the game. Last night, he was sitting around watching 2016 LA Rams Hard Knocks. “He’s all ball, but also extremely relatable to his peers.” Natural leader. Not always rah-rah, but leads by example and his approach to the game.
* On Courtland Ford transitioning to RT… Another high-IQ kid. Was extremely well-coached at USC. Long athlete. Loves the approach they’ve seen from him so far.
* On in-roads they’ve made into HS recruiting of the QB position… Will Levis has helped. Helps overall recruiting. Having better skilled players like Barion Brown and Dane Key has also given QB recruiting a boost. Easy to sell the pro-style system.
* On protecting the QB… Maybe they had a bit too much scheme to deal with last year. Simplifying may help them perform better. LA Rams had 13 different starting OL last year, which was a record, and one you don’t want to be a part of. UK dealt with some of those same issues and being forced to move guys around.
* Can Leary run? Coen thinks he can escape when needed while keeping his eyes down the field. Different guy than Levis, who could just take off and make a play.
* On DSK from NC State… Another high football-IQ kid who loves the game. “All he does is watch YouTube videos of football.” That’s the kind of kid you love to have. Has some versatile skills.
* Tayvion Robinson, Dekel Crowdus, and Anthony Brown all need to step up. They have a golden opportunity because the WR room is thin right now. Need those guys to take the next step, especially Tayvion.
* TEs might be able to be utilized a little bit more because of that lack of depth at WR. Thinks they can create some mismatches with some of those guys.
